Piper PA-28-201T accident near Belvidere, SD
On November 23, 1995, a Piper PA-28-201T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Belvidere, SD. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 23, 1995
- Place
- Belvidere, SD
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-201T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.831°N, 101.269°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04821
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 23, 1995, about 0800 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-201T, N3966M, was destroyed during an inflight breakup near Belvidere, South Dakota. The private pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 0730 central standard time, with a planned destination of Rapid City, South Dakota. Witnesses reported moderate snow showers and low visibility near the accident site at the time of the accident. A VFR flight plan was filed. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot telephoned the Fort Dodge Flight Service Station (FSS) on November 22, 1995, at 1813. During the weather briefing, the briefer advised "flight precautions over South Dakota for light to moderate rime or mixed icing 3,000 to 15,000 feet... ." The pilot commented "...I think we'll leave at daylight then...I'll call back for another briefing." The pilot called the Fort Dodge FSS again on November 23, 1995, at 0557. The briefer advised "the forecast across South Dakota for the eastern third of the state 2,500 AGL scattered to broken with 5,000 overcast with occasional visibilities three to five miles in light snow, the western two thirds of the state expecting 1,500 AGL scattered to broken with 2,500 to 3,500 overcast occasional visibilities three to five miles, light snow, light freezing rain... ." The surface advisory recorded at 0749 in Pierre, South Dakota, 60 miles northeast of the accident site, measured scattered clouds at 1500 feet, and estimated ceilings of 4,000 feet, with visibilities of three mil
Probable cause
the pilot's attempted visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, his failure to maintain control of the airplane, and exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane. Factors in the accident were: the snow and fog, and the aft airplane center of gravity.
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Browse: South Dakota · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
